Post Sonia

**Fast Facts**
Type of person	Individual

Sonia Post - SA Country Fire Service - Yellow Door Street Band

"There was a shop, a silo, and a fire station...." Born on the Eyre Peninsula at Cleve ( District Council of Cleve ) Sonia grew up in the small farming district of Wharminda. Her grand father was one of 12 siblings, so her extended family is huge!

"When you grow up on the Eyre Peninsula and 2 hours from anywhere, 20 minutes on the bus is a piece of cake...." She attended Wharminda Primary school which no longer exists. A sign on the school would be changed from "Rural School" to, "Primary School" depending on how many students would attend and at its peak they had 35 students in attendance. in 1981 the family moved over to Two Wells and she finished her Schooling at Gawler High ( Gawler & District College B - 12 Foundation ) catching the yellow bus every day from Two Wells. The strong community feel of Two Wells made her feel right at home as it was essential in a place like Wharminda. She rode horses, played netball for South Gawler Netball Club, played Softball for the Two Wells T-Birds Softball Club Inc. and to this days is still involved with the Two Wells Melodrama Group. She moved on to a horticultural apprenticeship before becoming a gardener/green keeper for a local government which she pursued for 10 years. She then ended up becoming a training officer for the SA Country Fire Service.

"I felt compelled to go in and give a hand...... I went in and I've never left....." Her CFS involvements dates all the way back to her grandparents also being involved and she personally became involved during the Two Wells Floods of 92 when the Gawler River burst its banks. She got involved with the brigade and took on the brigade and the group training roles becoming the group training officer for Light region. During her early years, it was pretty hands on, being involved with various fires, disasters, vehicle accidents, travelling to Kangaroo Island and helping out at other brigades like Tea Tree Gully. These days she is based at the Region 2 headquarters at Roseworthy. Her rank is Staff Officer and her day-to-day role is regional fire prevention officer. She helps with hazard reduction, keeping residents informed with bush fire plans, helping schools be prepared, working hand in hand with councils, that kind of thing. She calls herself the "Nerd" of the fire service. The CFS cover over 95% of the land mass of South Australia and Region 2 of the CFS stretches as far as Smithfield, Gumeracha, Farrell Flat, Innes National Park, covering an area of over 17,000 square kilometres so it is a fair chunk of land that Sonia helps keep fire ready. There is a combination of volunteers from the communities and a very small portion are staff. They also cover all hazards like bushfires, house fires, road accidents, and hazardous materials, and can also help assist the ambulance services.

"I grew up with music and drums wasn't an instrument for girls....." Back in year 8 she was plonked on to a drum set and took it up almost instantly. She really enjoyed it and practised a lot. Local legends Darryl Thompson and Leon Hall got together and formed a band with Sonia when she was just 16, she considers these days her musical apprenticeship. She was even once in a band called, "Bashed Crabs". It started to all wind down a bit with growing up and going out, netball and horses, and when the CFS came along she had to give it up, and that lasted for some 20 years! Being involved with the Two Wells Melodrama club reinvigorated her passion for it, and whilst a bit rusty she took it up again and now drums for the Yellow Door Street Band "There are older people who wouldn't set foot in a pub to hear live music. Luckily we're outside....." Local musicians Martin and Klause would jam on the main street, sometimes with a drum kit, and when Sonia asked to jump in on drums one day the stage was set for what would become the Yellow Door Street Band. Whilst not a founding member she and her husband Alby were there right from the start. YDSB practice once a week in Alby and Sonia's lounge room and play once a month in front of the yellow door outside the Prince Albert Hotel Gawler.

"We're there to bring a bit of joy and cheer to the street." The Yellow Door Street Band are now a staple of Gawler and you can catch them outside the PA on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Everyone is welcome to come listen to them. Its a great opportunity for adults, children, disabled people, and even pets to come along and hear some great live music. FOR FREE! All in the name of charity. She still owns the acoustic drum kit her parents got her when she was a teenager but has now transitioned to an electric kit. Its just much more practical in a live space. Her Roland V-Drums provide more flexibility, are always in tune, and always sound like they are out of a studio. YDSB love playing their covers and originals, but the door is always open for emerging artists to come along and have a shot at playing on the main street to a live audience. Interested? Hit up the FB page! Her supportive husband Alby plays bass in the band and they both share a love of gardening and cars with them both being involved in the Gawler Car Club - GVVCVC

First shared on Gawler in Photographs ‘Humans of Gawler’ series 11 May 2024

Photographs by Daniel James Down. Please click here to visit the Gawler in Photographs Facebook page.

Gawler History Team Inc thanks Daniel James Down (Gawler in Photographs) and the subjects of ‘Humans of Gawler’ for allowing us to preserve their profiles and photographs for future generations of Gawlerites to enjoy.

Please click here to view photos of Sonia Post.

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